Novelty covers for tanks

ABSTRACT

Novelty covers for a tank including tank walls defining a tank perimeter, the novelty cover including a plurality of panels interconnected to define a frame surrounding a void and defining a frame perimeter, the frame perimeter being complementarily configured with the tank perimeter, wherein each of the panels in the plurality of panels includes an exterior surface with ornamentation the frame is configured to receive the tank in the void, and the ornamentation on the exterior surface of the panels forms a cohesive ornamental scene when the panels are interconnected to define the frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending U.S. Application Ser. No.62/667,851, filed on May 7, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to covers. In particular,novelty covers for tanks are described.

Fish tank aquariums and terrariums are a fun and indispensable way tohouse and display household and exotic pets and animals. For many,having a pet fish or lizard may be a rite of passage as they grow up.For others, the companionship of a low stress and low maintenance housepet like tropical fish or snakes can be a desirable addition to theirlives.

Typically, these animals are housed in clear tanks with walls made ofglass or plastic. Owners may be creative and fill the tanks with anynumber of ornaments and decorations to spruce up the habitat of the tankfor the animals and to make the tank look more aesthetically pleasing.

However, the glass box of the tank still typically remains unchanged andunappealing. Some may utilize different lids to imitate a roof, but theglass walls of the tank remain bare and exposed. Alternatively, some maypaint or apply stickers to the tank to add their own decorations, butthese are not easily changed or removed. Thus, there exists a need fortank decorations that cover the tank yet remain easily changeable andremoveable to make the tanks more aesthetically appealing to a user.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to novelty covers for a tankincluding tank walls defining a tank perimeter, the novelty coverincluding a plurality of panels interconnected to define a framesurrounding a void and defining a frame perimeter, the frame perimeterbeing complementarily configured with the tank perimeter, wherein eachof the panels in the plurality of panels includes an exterior surfacewith ornamentation the frame is configured to receive the tank in thevoid, and the ornamentation on the exterior surface of the panels formsa cohesive ornamental scene when the panels are interconnected to definethe frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a novelty cover for atank.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the novelty cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a joint cap that is configured to mount to acorner of the novelty cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a cover configured to mount to the top of thenovelty cover.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second example of a novelty cover for atank.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a panel included in the novelty cover for atank shown in FIG. 5 depicting an accessory aperture.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tank suitable to be covered by thenovelty covers shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the tank shown in FIG. 7 disposedinside a frame of the novelty cover shown in FIGS. 1-4 depicting thecomplementary perimeters of the tank and the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed novelty covers will become better understood throughreview of the following detailed description in conjunction with thefigures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples ofthe various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, andaltered without departing from the scope of the inventions describedherein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications anddesign considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and everycontemplated variation is not individually described in the followingdetailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of variousnovelty covers are provided. Related features in the examples may beidentical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake ofbrevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in eachexample. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the readerthat the feature with a related feature name may be similar to therelated feature in an example explained previously. Features specific toa given example will be described in that particular example. The readershould understand that a given feature need not be the same or similarto the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure orexample.

Definitions

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particulardimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term,such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example,a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles acylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) areused interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to,and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements ormethod steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish oridentify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intendedto denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whetherdirectly or indirectly through intervening components.

Novelty Covers for Tanks

With reference to the figures, novelty covers for tanks will now bedescribed. The novelty covers for tanks discussed herein function tocover a tank in a fun, creative, and decorative fashion. The presentlydescribed novelty covers cover the walls and top of a tank whileremaining easily removeable and interchangeable because of their modularcomponents.

The novelty covers discussed below address many of the shortcomingsexisting with conventional tank covers and decorations. For example, thenovelty covers easily disconnect at their corners and edges to lay flat.This makes shipping and storage easy and affordable.

Further, the novelty covers fit over a tank, include a standard sizedten-gallon tank, without attaching directly to the tank. This makes thenovelty covers easily removable and moveable by simply lifting thenovelty cover up and over the tank.

Further, the novelty covers fit together using finger joints and pinsand do not require additional tools to assemble or disassemble. Theability to be assembled and disassembled without tools adds to themobility, convenience, and accessibility of the novelty covers.

Additionally, the novelty covers may come in many different shapes,colors, and designs to provide users with a wide variety of creativeoptions. In many instances, the novelty covers create a cohesiveornamental scene when assembled around a tank. Further addressing theneed for users to creatively express themselves, the novelty covers mayhave alternate attachment pieces to customize the novelty covers to auser's preferences.

Tank

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the features of tank 102 will first bedescribed to aid the discussion of the novelty covers disclosed herein.As shown in FIG. 7, tank 102 includes four tank walls 103 defining atank perimeter 104 with a top 120 disposed vertically above tank walls103.

Tank 102 is a standard sized ten-gallon tank with a tank height 105 of12 inches. The length, width, and height dimensions of tank 102 are 20inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches, respectively. However, other tankscome in a wide variety of different dimensions and all such dimensionsare suitable for use with the novelty covers described herein.

In the present example, tank walls 103 are made of glass. Some tank oraquarium examples may include walls made of plastic and have one or morewalls that are not transparent.

The perimeter of tank 102 is rectangular, but suitable tanks may haveother shapes and/or more or less than four walls. For example, sometanks may be triangular, square, circular, a pentagon, another regularpolygon, or an irregular shape, each with a corresponding number ofwalls, such as three walls for a triangular shaped tank, etc.

Novelty Cover Embodiment One

With reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 8, a first example of a novelty cover,novelty cover 100, will now be described. Novelty cover 100 includes aplurality of panels 106, a cover 122, and four joint caps 144.

In some examples, the novelty cover does not include one or morefeatures included in novelty cover 100. For example, some novelty coverexamples do not include a cover or a joint cap.

In other examples, the novelty covers includes additional or alternativefeatures. For example, some novelty cover examples include lights,electronic displays, clocks, calendars, writing surfaces, such as chalkboards or dry erase boards, and cord and/or tubing organizers.Additionally or alternatively, the novelty covers may include accessorydisplay items, such as statues, figurines, plush toys, and pictures, insome examples.

Plurality of Panels

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 8, plurality of panels 106 interconnectto define a frame 108 surrounding a void 110. As shown in FIG. 8, frame108 defines a frame perimeter 109, which is complementarily configuredwith tank perimeter 104. Frame 108 is self-supporting in the sense thatit holds together upright without support from tank 102 or anotherexternal object.

In the present example, plurality of panels 106 includes four separatepanels: first panel 150, second panel 152, third panel 154, and fourthpanel 156. In other examples, the plurality of panels include more orless panels, such as three panels, five panels, and six or more panels.

Each of the panels in plurality of panels 106 includes an exteriorsurface with ornamentation. For example, first panel 150 includesexterior surface 114 with ornamentation 116 in the form of a parapet.The ornamentation on the exterior surfaces of the panels collectivelyform a cohesive ornamental scene 118 when the panels are interconnectedto define frame 108.

The ornamentation and the cohesive ornamental scene can take a widevariety of forms. For example, cohesive ornamental scene 118 in FIGS.1-3 is a castle. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, each panel includesornamentation depicting features of a castle, such as stone walls, adrawbridge, windows, and a parapet.

In other examples, such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cohesiveornamental scene is a treasure chest. In other examples, the cohesiveornamental scene is a pagoda. In some examples, the cohesive ornamentalscene is an abstract design, a space ship, a jungle, a house, anEgyptian pyramid, a sports arena, or a circus. There is almost no limiton the range of cohesive ornamental scenes the panels may collectivelydisplay when interconnected to define the frame.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, frame 108 is configured to receive tank102 in void 110. To receive tank 102 in void, a user may place assembledframe 108 over tank 102, may place tank 102 into void 110 of assembledframe 108, or may assemble frame 108 from plurality of panels 106 aroundtank 102. The reader can see from FIG. 8 that frame perimeter 109 iscomplementarily configured with tank perimeter 104 so that void 110 iscomplementarily configured with tank 102. The complementaryconfiguration in the novelty cover 100 example provides a closetolerance leaving relatively little space between frame 108 and tank102. In other novelty cover examples, the tolerance is more relaxed toprovide more space between the frame and the tank. In still otherexamples, the tolerance is tighter to provide little or no space betweenthe tank and the frame.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, plurality of panels 106 each havea panel height greater than or equal to tank height 105. The panelheights being greater than tank height 105 means that tank 102 isvertically enclosed by frame 108 when received in void 110. In otherexamples, the height of the panels is equal to or less than the heightof the tank.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reader can see that first panel 150in plurality of panels 106 defines a notch 128 proximate where top 120of tank 102 would be disposed when tank 102 is disposed in void 110. Asexplained in more detail below, cover 122 is configured to couple withframe 108 in a position overlying top 120 of tank 102 when tank 102 isreceived in void 110. Thus, notch 128 is in a position proximate tocover 122 when cover 122 is coupled to frame 108 in a position overlyingtop 120. Notch 128 is complementarily configured with a cover projection123 to receive cover project 123 in notch 128 to horizontally stabilizecover 122.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first panel 150 defines a window 160permitting tank 102 to be seen through first panel 150 when tank 102 isreceived in void 110 of frame 108. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and2, second panel 152, third panel 154, and fourth panel 156 also definewindows through which tank 102 can be observed from outside frame 108.In some examples, fewer than all panels define windows, such as a singlepanel, two panels, or three panels defining a window.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, window 160 consists of an absenceor hole through first panel 150. In other examples, the windows may be aclear material integrated into the panels. In certain examples, thewindows are an absence of panel material and include glass or anotherclear material covering them.

The reader can see in FIGS. 1 and 2 that window 160 represents a majorportion of first panel 150. In this context, major portion means thearea of first panel 150 defining window 160 is greater than the area offirst panel 150 not defining window 160. Expressed another way, window160 represents more than half the area defined by exterior surface 114.The larger the window area, the less that tank 102 is obscured by thepanel, which enables a user to view more of tank 102 and its contents.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reader can see that first panel 150defines a series of holes 136 proximate outer edges of first panel 150.Third panel 154 defines a similar series of holes 137 to series of holes136. The reader can also see that second panel 152 includes a series ofprojections 140 proximate outer edges of second panel 152. Series ofprojections 140 are configured to matingly engage series of holes 136 infirst panel 150 as well as series of holes 137 defined in third panel154.

Series of projections 140 matingly engaging series of holes 136interconnects second panel 152 with first panel 150. Likewise, series ofprojections 140 matingly engaging series of holes 137 interconnectssecond panel 152 with third panel 154. By configuring two oppositepanels with a series of holes and two adjacent panels with a series ofprojections, the series of panels matingly engage to interconnect as arectangle. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, in the present example, tankperimeter 104 is rectangular and frame perimeter 109 is correspondinglyrectangular. Wherein two panels interconnect defines a verticallyextending joint 142.

In some examples, the interconnected panels are secured togetherproximate vertically extending joint 142 with fasteners while in otherexamples fasteners are not used. In examples where fasteners are used,such as the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fasters may be operableby hand without requiring tools.

For example, some examples include hand screw fasteners to secure thepanels together, such as two hand screw fasteners per vertical edge ofthe frame. The hand screw fasteners include a screw configured to beoperated by hand and a bracket configured to receive the hand screw.When hand screw fasteners are used, the panels may include complementaryhole-pairs in adjacent panels to accommodate the hand screw fastener:one type of hole configured to mount the bracket via a bracketprojection and another type of hole through which the hand screw maypass to reach the bracket mounted to the adjacent panel. In use, a usersecures the bracket to one of the panels (or the bracket comespreinstalled on the panel) and then the user inserts the hand screwthrough the other hole in the hole-pair formed in the adjacent panel andinto the bracket to secure the adjacent panels together.

Cover

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the reader can see that cover 122 isconfigured to couple with frame 108 in a position overlying top 120 oftank 102 when tank 102 is received in void 110. Cover 122 is unadorned,but some examples will include adornments or accessory display items,such as statues, figurines, plush toys, and pictures. For example, whenthe cohesive ornamental scene is a pagoda, the cover may includeadornments in the form of dragon statue replicas.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, cover 122 includes a series of coverprojections 123 configured to rest in notches 128 formed in first panel150, second panel 152, third panel 154, and fourth panel 156.Projections 123 residing in notches 128 serves to horizontally stabilizecover 122 on frame 108. In other examples, such as the example shown inFIG. 5, the cover defines one or more cover apertures complementarilyconfigured with vertical projections extending from the panels. Thecover apertures are aligned with the vertical projections and receivethe vertical projections to orient and laterally stabilize the cover.

In the present example, cover 122 includes finger holes 125 tofacilitate lifting cover 122. In other examples, finger holes are notdefined in the cover. Additionally or alternatively to finger holes, thecover may include handles to facilitate lifting and maneuvering thecover.

Joint Cap

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the reader can see that novelty cover 100includes four joint caps 144 mounted to four vertically extending joints142. In other examples of the novelty cover, joint caps are not providedat all or fewer joint caps than the number of vertically extendingjoints present are provided. Joint caps 144 press two adjacent panelstogether to more securely interconnect them when mounted to verticallyextending joint 142 defined between the adjacent panels.

The reader can see from FIGS. 1-3 that joint caps 144 have an ornamentalexterior appearance, including a cap 149 depicting a turret, whichcomplements the ornamentation on the exterior surfaces of the panels. Inthe present example, joint caps 144 appear as castle turrets tocomplement the castle cohesive ornamental scene created by frame 108. Inexamples where the cohesive ornamental scene is a spaceship, the jointcaps may appear as rocket engines. The reader will appreciate that thejoint caps may adopt any external ornamentation suitable to complementthe cohesive ornamental scene presented by the frame.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, one can see that joint caps 144 eachdefine a vertically extending recess 146 complementarily configured withvertically extending joints 142. As shown in FIG. 3, joint cap 144defines a slit 148 vertically adjacent to vertically extending recess146. Slit 148 is complementarily configured with a minor dimension ofthe panels in plurality of panels 106. The minor dimension of the panelscorresponds to the thickness of the panels. Expressed another way, theminor dimension is the spacing distance between the exterior andinterior faces of the panels.

The complementary configurations of recess 146 and slit 148 relative tovertically extending joint 142 and the minor dimension of the panels,respectively, allows joint caps 144 to mount securely to frame 108 atthe four vertically extending joints 142. In particular, joint cap 144receives vertically extending joint 142 in vertically extending recess146. Further, slit 148 receives a portion of a panel; more specifically,slit 148 receives one of the two panels interconnected to formvertically extending joint 142.

Novelty Cover Embodiment Two

Turning attention to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second example of a novelty cover,novelty cover 200, will now be described. Novelty cover 200 includesmany similar or identical features to novelty cover 100. Thus, for thesake of brevity, each feature of novelty cover 200 will not beredundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between novelty cover200 and novelty cover 100 will be described in detail and the readershould reference the discussion above for features substantially similarbetween the two novelty covers.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, novelty cover 200 includes a plurality ofpanels 206 and a cover 222. In contrast to the castle cohesiveornamental scene presented by novelty cover 100, novelty cover 200presents a sea chest cohesive ornamental scene. Plurality of panels 206define windows 260 through which a tank and its contents may beobserved.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show that novelty cover 200 has a different configurationfor securing the cover to the plurality of panels than present in thenovelty cover 100 example. In the novelty cover 200 example, pluralityof panels 206 define vertical projections 232 proximate cover 222 andcover 222 defines cover apertures 227 complementarily configured withvertical projection 232. Cover apertures 227 align with verticalprojections 232 and receive vertical projections 232 to orient andlaterally stabilize cover 222.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a panel 254 in plurality of panels 206defines an accessory aperture 261. Accessory aperture 261 providesaccess to a tank disposed in novelty cover 200 for accessories locatedoutside novelty cover. Additionally or alternatively, accessory aperture261 provides a place to mount accessories to panel 254. Commonaccessories for which it is beneficial to provide access to the tank arepumps, filtration units, lamps, food dispensers, and water dispensers.The accessory aperture may be sized and shaped to complement any desiredaccessory.

As shown in FIG. 5, novelty cover 200 includes hand screw fasteners 270to help secure plurality of panels 206 together. In particular, noveltycover 200 includes two hand screw fasteners 270 per vertical edge of theframe. Hand screw fasteners include a screw 272 configured to beoperated by hand and a bracket 274 configured to receive hand screw 272.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the reader can see that plurality of panels 206defines complementary hole-pairs 276 in adjacent panels to accommodatehand screw fastener 270. A first hole 277 in hole-pair 276 is configuredto mount bracket 274 via a bracket projection 275. A second hole 278 inhole-pair 276 is configured for screw 272 to extend through it to reachbracket 274.

In use, a user secures bracket 274 to one of the panels (or bracket 274comes preinstalled on the panel) via first hole 277. To secure thepanels together, the user inserts hand screw 272 through second hole 278formed in the adjacent panel and then into bracket 274 to secure theadjacent panels together.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions withindependent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosedin a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustratedabove are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerousvariations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includesall novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of thevarious elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed aboveand inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions.Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “afirst” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claimsshould be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neitherrequiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed tocombinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that arebelieved to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in othercombinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/orproperties may be claimed through amendment of those claims orpresentation of new claims in the present application or in a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed tothe same invention or a different invention and whether they aredifferent, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims,are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventionsdescribed herein.

1. A novelty cover for a tank including tank walls defining a tankperimeter, the novelty cover comprising: a plurality of panelsinterconnected to define a frame surrounding a void and defining a frameperimeter, the frame perimeter being complementarily configured with thetank perimeter, wherein: each of the panels in the plurality of panelsincludes an exterior surface with ornamentation; the frame is configuredto receive the tank in the void; and the ornamentation on the exteriorsurfaces of the panels collectively form a cohesive ornamental scenewhen the panels interconnect to define the frame.
 2. The novelty coverof claim 1, wherein: the tank includes a top vertically above the tankwalls; and the novelty cover further comprises a cover configured tocouple with the frame in a position overlying the top of the tank whenthe tank is received in the void.
 3. The novelty cover of claim 2,wherein the cover defines a finger hole to facilitate lifting the cover.4. The novelty cover of claim 2, wherein: a first panel in the pluralityof panels defines a notch proximate the cover, and the cover includes acover projection configured to rest in the notch to horizontallystabilize the cover.
 5. The novelty cover of claim 2, wherein: a firstpanel in the plurality of panels defines a vertical projection proximatethe cover; and the cover defines a cover aperture complementarilyconfigured with the vertical projection and aligned with the verticalprojection, the cover aperture receiving the vertical projection toorient and laterally stabilize the cover when the cover covers the tank.6. The novelty cover of claim 1, wherein: the tank has a tank height;and the plurality of panels each have a panel height greater than orequal to the tank height such that the tank is vertically enclosed bythe frame when received in the void.
 7. The novelty cover of claim 1,wherein at least one panel in the plurality of panels defines a windowpermitting the tank to be seen through the at least one panel when thetank is received in the void of the frame.
 8. The novelty cover of claim7, wherein the window consists of an absence in the at least one panel.9. The novelty cover of claim 7, wherein the window is a major portionof the panel.
 10. The novelty cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofpanels includes: a first panel defining a series of holes; and a secondpanel including a series of projections configured to matingly engagethe series of holes in the first panel to interconnect the first panelwith the second panel.
 11. The novelty cover of claim 1, wherein thetank perimeter is rectangular and the frame perimeter is correspondinglyrectangular.
 12. The novelty cover of claim 1, wherein two panelsinterconnecting defines a vertically extending joint and the noveltycover further comprises a joint cap mounted to the vertically extendingjoint.
 13. The novelty cover of claim 12, wherein the joint cap definesa vertically extending recess complementarily configured with thevertically extending joint.
 14. The novelty cover of claim 13, whereinthe joint cap defines a slit vertically adjacent to the verticallyextending recess, the slit being complementarily configured with a minordimension of a panel in the plurality of panels.
 15. The novelty coverof claim 14, wherein: the joint cap receives the vertically extendingjoint in the vertically extending recess; and the slit receives aportion of one of the two panels interconnected to form the verticallyextending joint.
 16. The novelty cover of claim 12, wherein the jointcap presses the two panels together and more securely interconnects thetwo panels when mounted to the vertically extending joint.
 17. Thenovelty cover of claim 12, wherein the joint cap has an ornamentalexterior appearance.
 18. The novelty cover of claim 17, wherein theornamental exterior appearance of the joint cap complements theornamentation on the exterior surface of the panels.
 19. A novelty coverfor a tank, the tank including tank walls and a top and defining a tankperimeter and a tank height, the novelty cover comprising: four panelsinterconnected to define a self-supporting frame surrounding a void anddefining a frame perimeter, the frame perimeter being complementarilyconfigured with the tank perimeter and the tank height; wherein: theframe is configured to receive the tank in the void; each of the fourpanels defines a window permitting the tank to be seen through thepanels when the tank is received in the void of the frame; the fourpanels each have a panel height greater than or equal to the tank heightsuch that the tank is vertically enclosed by the frame when received inthe void; the four panels include two female panels defining a series ofholes; the four panels include two male panels defining a series ofprojections configured to matingly engage the series of holes in thefemale panels to interconnect the male panels with the female panels;each of the four panels includes an exterior surface with ornamentation;and the ornamentation on the exterior surfaces of the four panelscollectively form a cohesive ornamental scene when the panelsinterconnect to define the frame.
 20. The novelty cover of claim 19,further comprising a cover configured to couple with the frame in aposition overlying the top of the tank when the tank is received in thevoid.